Thorpe leads England charge

Graham Thorpe maintained his prolific level of performance since making a return to the international stage by delivering a crucial century to keep England on course for a ninth successive victory in the fluctuating second Test against South Africa.

The Surrey left-hander may be the senior citizen of England's successful line-up, but has proved his worth consistently over the last year to help them rise to number two in the world rankings and register a record eight successive wins this year.

Since being recalled from a year out of the game with personal problems and returning with a glorious century against South Africa at The Oval he has averaged 57.95.

Thorpe has also been a key contributor to famous victories in Barbados and last summer against New Zealand at Trent Bridge and West Indies at Old Trafford.

But with competition growing for places in the middle order with Robert Key, Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood, today was as timely a moment as any to remind the selectors of his talent for survival in a crisis.

This time his experience was crucial after the tourists, 88 ahead overnight on 281 for one, lost three wickets early in the morning session which threatened to allow South Africa back into the Test.

By the time captain Michael Vaughan called a halt to the innings with England 377 ahead on 570 for seven - only the fifth time in history they have scored over 500 in a second innings - Thorpe had resisted South Africa's best attempts to dislodge him for over five hours.

His efforts ensured South Africa would have to score the fourth highest fourth innings score in history to win the Test and the highest ever at Kingsmead if they are to halt England's unbeaten record in 2004.

That seemed more distant than ever by the close with Matthew Hoggard striking to remove South Africa captain Graeme Smith leg before to leave them struggling on 21 for one, still needing a further 357 for an unlikely victory on the potentially thrilling final day.

The day had begun with England setting their sights on different landmarks with Andrew Strauss, who resumed unbeaten on 132, needing a further 33 runs to become the third fastest England batsman in history to reach 1,000 Test runs.

After over six hours at the crease, however, perhaps it was inevitable he failed to follow in the footsteps of Herbert Sutcliffe, Len Hutton and Wally Hammond and drove to slip in the fifth over of the day having added only four to his total.

He was the first of three wickets to fall in 14 overs, with captain Vaughan gloving a rising delivery from Makhaya Ntini behind and Mark Butcher also caught at slip attempting to drive all-rounder Jacques Kallis.

Had Kallis won a strong appeal for leg before in his previous over against Thorpe, who had scored just one, the story of the day could have been very different but umpire Simon Taufel gave the Surrey left-hander the benefit of the doubt.

Perhaps spurred on by that close escape, Thorpe utilised all his experience to guide himself and all-rounder Andrew Flintoff through some nervy early moments for forge a crucial 114-run stand in 35 overs.

Inevitably forced into a supporting role once Flintoff gained the confidence to go for his shots, Thorpe still beat the Lancashire all-rounder to his half-century and the pair seemed set for a lengthy partnership which could have forced an even earlier declaration given the scoring rate.

Just as the Kingsmead crowd were settling down for a trademark Flintoff innings he was outmanoeuvred by Smith, who came round the wicket and had him caught behind attempting to cut after he had hit six fours and three sixes in his 112-ball 60.

Fortunately for Thorpe, he was given another naturally aggressive partner in Geraint Jones to replace Flintoff and the pair progressed at nearly five runs an over during their 132-run partnership, even after South Africa took the new ball.

With Jones playing virtually a one-day innings at one end, hitting 10 fours and two sixes in scoring 73 off only 82 balls, Thorpe was able to do what he does best and keep the scoreboard ticking over by punishing the bad ball and clipping well-placed singles.

His century came up after just less than five hours at the crease and despite losing Jones shortly afterwards, caught in the deep as England chased quick runs, Thorpe was able to take his boundary tally up to 15 before the declaration was signalled.

Hoping for an early breakthrough in the 37 minutes of play available before the close, Jones' limitations behind the stumps were underlined when he dropped a regulation catch to allow Herschelle Gibbs to escape on six in the fourth over of South Africa's reply.

But with Hoggard striking to remove influential captain Smith, it was an error which England hope will not affect their chances of completing a memorable year with one of their most amazing victories tomorrow.